The By Lawyers Estates Guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and conveyancing practice. The extensive review was performed by our author Marcella King. As with all our authors, Marcella takes a practical approach, drawing on her considerable experience to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help solicitors and conveyancers confidently run a probate matter. The commentary has been expanded, and a new To Do List has been included. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for solicitors and conveyancers acting in the administration of an estate.

The Law Society, Council of Licensed Conveyancers, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Bold Legal Group and the Conveyancing Association, with the support of Government departments and the Land Registry have jointly drafted a Variation Agreement, for use where an exchange of contracts has already taken place on a conveyancing transaction, and a practitioner considers that it is necessary to vary its terms due to the impact of the coronavirus. The Variation Agreement and guidance regarding its use are available in both the sale and purchase guides, in the sections relating to Deterioration, Disputes and Notices. Keep up-to-date with our latest COVID-19 News & Updates.

Temporary rent concessions for commercial leases – Side letter or deed of variation? A side letter which records the agreed temporary alteration to the existing lease, and which is not intended to have a lasting impact upon the lease terms. Read more...

A new precedent Deed of Substituted Security has been added to the By Lawyers Mortgages Guide. This precedent can be adapted to suit most circumstances where a lender hasn’t supplied their own. This precedent can be found in folder G. If required - Discharge, assignment and variation.

The Probate and Wills Commentaries have been updated to reflect the increase to the statutory legacy payable to a spouse on intestacy. From 6 February 2020 the legacy is £270,000.

Relevant commentaries on Capital Gains Tax also include the upcoming changes to Private Residence Relief and Letting Relief. Also remember from April 2020 capital gains tax on the disposal of residential land is payable within 30 days of completion. Private residence relief is available for the years the home was owner occupied plus the last 18 months, even if not occupied by the owner. This 18 month period is reducing to 9 months from April 2020. Where part or all of the property has at some time in the period of ownership been let as residential accommodation letting relief is available. However from April 2020 letting relief will only be available where the owner is also living in the property.

The By Lawyers Financial Remedy publication has been reviewed and updated by our authors as part of our continuing review process. The review included several new precedents and greater commentary detail.

Our author has recently reviewed the probate publication providing several new precedents and amending the commentary. Additional automation was also added to some of the precedents to increase flexibility and efficient usage.

Additions to the Sale and Purchase of Land commentaries have analysed the law and practice in relation to boundaries to assist practitioners who are called upon to prepare boundary agreements or to seek the determination of a boundary. Read more...

By Lawyers is monitoring the increasing emphasis on anti-money laundering in the profession. Read more...

The Practice Management publication is undergoing a makeover to ensure it complies with best practice and SRA regulations. Read more...

Following user feedback, a new letter has been added to the Divorce publication providing advice on judicial separation as an alternative to divorce or dissolution.

Following review, a number of precedents were improved to ensure a better user experience. These include: Initial call record, Police station attendance record, Attendance notes and Letters to the client after attending at the police station.

The Land Registry hopes to release its digital mortgage service in public beta this year. In a recent news update, the Registry’s digital services manager Eddie Davies said that ‘the department is continuing to work with Coventry and Enact on the next phases of the service as well as also working with lenders to get their mortgage deeds approved and templates created. So far, the Registry has approved several deeds from lenders in the remortgage market including Nationwide, HSBC, RBS, NatWest and Santander. ‘Since opening the service to more lenders and conveyancers we have seen an increase in the number of digital mortgages registered showing an appetite in the market to use new technology. Some lenders have started offering online mortgage applications and our service helps to bring the industry one step closer to an end-to-end digital process.’

A co-ownership deed has been added to the Purchase of Land guide, setting out the arrangements between tenants in common. Read more...